The Garganica and Girgentana Goat Breeds Reared in Different Regions of Italy

Abstract

The extensive farming method represents the best system for goats living in a Mediterranean environment, despite the fact that its productive potential is partly achieved, the rusticity and frugality of this animal, here, allows to reach the maximum use of the environmental resources enabling the animal to produce, particularly milk and dairy products, after grazing. Two Italian breed goats are described in this chapter considering these premises and regarding primarily the milk production and, secondarily, meat quality. The Garganica breed, native of the Gargano area of Puglia region (southeast Italy), is a medium-size animal characterized by a shiny black coat, which may have black-reddish shades. It is a dairy goat breed, with an average production of 180 L of milk per lactation, and a mean fat content of 3.6% and protein of 3.7%. The Girgentana breed, bred and selected in Sicily, particularly in the Midwest, is a medium-size animal too, white coat with reddish-brown tending to roan and seldom to gray forehead and jaws, often characterized by an extended spotting. It is predominantly a dairy breed with an average production of 333 L of milk per lactation, with an average fat content of 3.4% and a protein of 3.2%.